TTC for 1 year +

[FlapJackered]

Does anyone want to join?

I have been TTC #1 for 15 months and had a MC at 8 weeks in February.
I am off to the GP tomorrow to try and get a referral to a reproductive endocrinologist.
Tried every trick and tip and old wives tale in the book to get a bfp!
It would be good to have a group of longer term ttcers to chat to.

[cupcakesandglitter]

Sorry you're feeling like that @FlapJackered but sometimes a break is needed. Look after yourself xx

@bunhead34 when's AF due?

Sorry Af turned up @PineappleC @KatBeCool how're you doing? X

[bunhead34]

@cupcakesandglitter not for another week!
I did have an early positive opk at cd9 so if that was not a dud I would be 12dop.

But I also got a positive opk at cd 16, so who knows 🤷🏼‍♀️ that one would only be 6dpo.

[KatBeCool]

@cupcakesandglitter I don't even know anymore. Temp went back up today but it also could be due to me taking progesterone "not orally". But still spotting. How are you doing?

[Chanel05]

@FlapJackered hope you are able to clear your mind a little with the break.

[cupcakesandglitter]

@bunhead34 it's normal to get more than one surge so I'm guessing you maybe didn't ov the first time round? X

@KatBeCool sorry I'm awful at replying on here - has your temp gone up again today? I'm okay thanks, actually had a faint BFP yesterday but BFN today so I've had another CP, but not too upset over it as last month was my first proper cycle I think x

[Katie2207]

Hello everyone can I join??😊 me and my partner have been trying for nearly 2 years but feels like forever at this point. I was diagnosed with pcos at the beginning of last year, however me and my partner decided not to get medical help for fertility because we really want to do this on our own, we made a deal that if still nothing by the end of year we will get professional help, I've tried temping and can't get the hack of it unfortunately, so I've started using test strips this month and just got a surge so hopefully this will lead us somewhere positive.

[Newbie21]

@FlapJackered got my results today. Unfortunately they weren't good - revealed progesterone is very low so I didn't ovulate. The corpus luteum which was in my scan was not active apparently. I have a consultation with my gynecologist on Tuesday where we will discuss inducing ovulation. Also I'm meant to have a progesterone test through my NHS referral and DH needs to go for a sperm test so we'll do that too. I have a feeling this is going to be a long journey.

[muddypuddlejumping]

Hello can I join also?
I've taken a break from here for a few months but have lurked a bit and seeing this thread, thought it might be the one for me (sadly 😭)
TTC #2 for about 14 months on off now - most months really going for it, others not so much or DH away.
DC1 was the first month without really trying so this is very unexpected and difficult but I'm very grateful to have one and completely appreciate that.
Beginning to really question things but used OPK for the first time last month and ovulated a full week later than I though! Still no baby though 🙄
Just getting into FW now though so 🤞🏼

[MuddyElephant]

Hi Ladies, just been catching up on the thread after entertaining the PIL over the weekend - you have all been busy, so sorry for the epic post!

Fortunately not too many baby related conversations this weekend so I could push it all to the back of my mind but now visitors have gone I have reverted to mad googling this evening though as I have discovered I can see my blood test results on my GP surgery app - trying to guess what they mean . FP due on Sun and symptom spotting gone into overdrive, I think waiting for results has seemed to make everything more noticeable this month. My boobs feel huge, but its probably just due to the amount of chocolate I have been consuming

@PineappleC, sorry to hear FP arrived, but sounds like whatever you are doing is working to get your luteal phase to lengthen. Hope next cycle is a good one

@Chanel05 sorry for your loss. As others have said, take care of yourself and give yourself time

@Newbie21 sorry your tests weren't great, but hopefully now you have a better idea of the issues the docs can help sort them - fx for you for your next appt.

@FlapJackered hope you are ok, and sorry things are so tough for you at the moment. As you say having a bit of a break from it all will do you the world of good. Hope you have lots of R&R over the next few weeks and take care of yourself

@Bunhead34 good plan to turn things down this month, I have found the months I temp etc more crushing when the BFP doesnt arrive as I look into every little sign. My GP has said that even trying to time DTD can have a negative effect, so am keeping a loose eye on my fertile window and trying to DTD as much as possible, EOD as a minimum DH still doesn't think it is enough though

Welcome @katie2207, @muddypuddlejumping

[KatBeCool]

@cupcakesandglitter my temp was still up this morning and spotting has stopped, tested yesterday, bfn. I'm waiting until tomorrow to test again. I hate to start planning for next cycle, but I'm skipping Clomid and going to take only progesterone. And I'm going to take some supplements too, like royal jelly.
Sorry you had a CP, what DPO are you?

[muddypuddlejumping]

Just ordered another pack of clear blue OPKs to use alongside this month's. Think I may be on track for another long ovulation period. Last month it flashed on for 8 days before going solid and my cm matched that so we shall see.
Lots of newborns are filling up my social media at the moment but trying to remain hopeful that it will happen at some point while working out how best to dodge the frequent 'next baby?' questions 🙄

[MuddyElephant]

@muddlypuddlejumping I often answer the baby question with something like "we'd love one but it's not as simple as wanting one" which usually stops people from asking too much more!

[cupcakesandglitter]

@KatBeCool if the spotting has stopped fx it's implantation and you'll get your BFP within a few days. I know what you mean about the next cycle, but it's still a positive step - god knows how many times I've said I'm going to quit TTC 😂 I'm 22dpo 😂 because I had AF last week, I'm guessing it implanted late and then couldn't stick, not surprising because I had a horrendous AF last week. Feeling positive though, DH has his SA on Friday so fx we start getting some answers!

[KatBeCool]

@cupcakesandglitter it's probably best if your DH SA is all good, you definitely don't want any "answers" there as anything out of the order is hard if not impossible to fix when it comes to men. HSG and Clomid are probably your next steps.
BFN for me today, 15 DPO, so this cycle is over, I stopped taking progesterone, AF should visit in a day or two. Can't say I'm thrilled, three months of Clomid and nothing 😭

[cupcakesandglitter]

@KatBeCool yeah definitely, just glad somethings happening really. Are you sure you're out? Lots of people don't get their BFP till a while later, don't feel disheartened if AF isn't here yet x

[KatBeCool]

@cupcakesandglitter that's the hard part. I won't get AF unless I stop progesterone, so I don't know whether it's actually coming. I might take it for a few more days just to be sure.

[cupcakesandglitter]

@KatBeCool I definitely would, especially when you're temping too. I really hope you get your BFP soon x

[MuddyElephant]

@KatBeCool 15dpo is still early, I'd def keep taking the progesterone for a few days

[Newbie21]

@cupcakesandglitter and others on Clomid or progesterone. I am a little confused about the progesterone thing so was hoping you ladies might be able to explain some things. I had thought if progesterone was low they give you Clomid but can they give you just progesterone? Also is progesterone low when you don't ovulate or does low progesterone stop you ovulating?

Also, the whole 21 day test thing - how many tests did you do before being put in progesterone or clomid?

[cupcakesandglitter]

Sorry @Newbie21 I've not been prescribed either and have zero idea about what they're prescribed for - hopefully someone else can answer xx

[Newbie21]

Sorry @cupcakesandglitter. That should have been @KatBeCool

[KatBeCool]

@Newbie21 they prescribe Clomid if they suspect (or confirm) that you don't ovulate. Progesterone rises after you ovulate but you may not have enough, which is when they prescribe it. Different specialists have different practices. Some do extensive testing, some don't, some prescribe just Clomid, some prescribe Clomid/Estradiol/Progesterone, which is what I got.
I had day 3 tests, but not 21, my AMH and FSH were normal, but TSH was high, I was put on levothyroxine, took 3-4 months after that to normalize the rest of the effects from high TSH. His logic was "well it's been 6 months, you aren't pregnant, do HSG first, if all normal, then next step is Clomid". So that's where I am. Progesterone prepares your lining and keeps AF away (for most women). I had all the signs that mine was low.
If anything, I'd advise having your TSH and vitamin D checked without waiting for a year and you don't need a specialist referral, your GP can order it. It's a common problem and an extremely easy fix.

[Newbie21]

Thanks so much @KatBeCool my TSH was 1.62 which looking at the range seems to be ok but my progesterone was 4.2 which is very low but the timing of the test was totally off as AF showed up the next day. However, I've been experiencing spotting before AF for months now so I do think there is definitely a progesterone issue. I'm worried that now I'm not ovulating - I have a nearly 3yr old boy so i know I'm luckier then many - I fell pregnant with him straight away, started trying again Jan 2018, pregnant straight away then MMC, 2 month break then pregnant straight away but CP then next month pregnant again but another MMC - so I was always told "at least your ovulating" and it was thought issue was the eggs (I'm 38) but since the last MC I've been spotting and it's getting progressively worse so now it's thought I'm possibly not ovulating :-(. I suppose as long as I'm still producing eggs then I guess there is something they can do so I should stay positive. I'm just hoping that I am still ovulating (most of the time) and that issue is progesterone but we'll see. I have my next appointment on Tuesday. I will ask about the other tests you mention. I haven't had those.

[muddypuddlejumping]

Can I ask some advice regarding doctors. I've previously been quite against starting that process (for me, not in general) I guess because I have a child already and always felt that it would just happen but now I'm starting to think maybe I should go. Can anyone talk me through what would happen? How invasive? I'm not sure I'd want to go down the IVF route although probably wouldn't qualify anyway but from some of these posts it looks like there's lots of other options before that!

[KatBeCool]

@Newbie21 sounds like your progesterone might be low, with mcs, and spotting. Those are usually the signs.

@muddypuddlejumping a few blood tests and semen analysis, if all is fine, then HSG. HSG hurts like hell, but it's short and you'll live, if that's good, usually Clomid is next, then gonadotropins and/or IUI, then ivf. Some also do ultrasound to check your ovaries. The process depends on your results each time.